Toronto pitcher J.A. Happ hit in face with line drive [Video]

Toronto pitcher J.A. Happ is responsive and doing well after being struck in the head by a line drive during Tuesday night’s game, the Blue Jays said Wednesday morning.

The seven-year veteran suffered a head contusion and a laceration to his left ear, but the team said it expects him to be released from Bayfront Medical Center later in the day after further testing.

The scary incident occurred at Tropicana Field during the second inning of the Blue Jays’ 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Happ had no time to react as a line drive by Desmond Jennings hit him in the side of the face. The left-handed pitcher dropped to the ground holding his left ear. Replays showed blood near the ear.

Confusion reigned for the next couple of seconds. Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons and head trainer George Poulis started toward the mound, then stopped because the play was still live. Players initially paused then kept going, with two runs scoring and Jennings winding up on third before the action was suspended.

The stadium was in near silence for more than five minutes, with players looking on with the rest of the crowd as medical staff immobilized Happ on a backboard and lifted him onto a stretcher.

Happ, 30, remained conscious throughout and could be seen talking to a staff member as he was wheeled out of the stadium, giving a slight wave to the crowd on his way out.

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